Nanoscale ultrastructures increase the visual conspicuousness of signalling traits in obligate cleaner shrimps.
J Exp Biol
; 227(16)2024 Aug 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39119671
ABSTRACT
Signal theory predicts organisms should evolve signals that are conspicuous to intended receivers in natural signalling environments. Cleaner shrimps remove ectoparasites from reef fish clients and many signal their intent to clean by whipping long, white antennae. As white is a reliably conspicuous colour in aquatic environments, we hypothesized that selection has acted to increase broad-spectrum antennal reflectance in cleaners. Using scanning electron microscopy, optical models and reflectance measurements, we found that the antennae in three obligate cleaner species from two families (Palaemonidae and Lysmatidae) had thick (â¼6â
µm) chitinous layers or densely packed high refractive index spheres (300-400â
nm diameter), which models show increase reflectance (400-700â
nm). Two facultative and non-cleaning species had no visible antennae ultrastructure beyond the chitinous exoskeleton. Antennae reflectance was significantly higher in obligate cleaners than in facultative and non-cleaning species. Our results suggest that some obligate cleaners may have evolved ultrastructures that increase the conspicuousness of their antennae as signals.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antenas de Artrópodes
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article